Work Conditioning/Hardening Program
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Focus on Functional Abilities:
Work conditioning programs are tailored to the specific demands of a person’s job. For example, if a worker needs to lift heavy objects, the program might include exercises that simulate lifting and carrying.
Graded Progression:
The exercises and activities are gradually increased in intensity and duration to help the individual build strength and endurance safely.
Real-World Simulation:
Many work conditioning programs use real-world tools and equipment to simulate the tasks the worker will perform at their job.
Return-to-Work Focus:
The primary goal is to help individuals return to their jobs as quickly and safely as possible.
Individualized Programs:
Each program is designed to address the specific needs and limitations of the individual worker.
Multidisciplinary Approach:
Work conditioning programs often involve physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Work conditioning is a program that patients can participate in only after their acute or chronic injuries have been managed. They will receive traditional rehabilitation treatments for their injury as deemed appropriate by one of our physiotherapists. Once the rehabilitation is complete and the injury is healed, work conditioning can begin. It is considered one of the final steps of the rehabilitation process to prepare someone to return to work.
Before you begin your work conditioning program, you and your physiotherapist will discuss realistic and functional return-to-work goals that you’d like to achieve within a certain time frame. Your physiotherapist will make sure that you are pain-free, as well as restriction-free in your range of motion before creating a work conditioning plan to fit your needs.
Work conditioning is always condition-specific, as it is targeted toward the physically demanding duties of your job. For example, if you work in carpentry and you recently recovered from a shoulder injury that occurred on the job, you may be asked to perform specific tasks such as hammering above your head or lifting weights for a designated amount of time, to strengthen the shoulder and condition your body for the work you will have to do once you return.
The main idea of work conditioning is to regain function and increase strength, to return to work in a timely manner and prevent any additional injuries from occurring again.